Flags

THE ENSIGN

An ensign may be occasionally be granted and blazoned. This is a square flag, smaller than the flying banner, and carrying the full embroidered achievement (arms, crest, motto), again fringed in livery colours. Some experts regard this as an over-elaborate object, flying in the face of the
principle that good heraldry is simple heraldry, but it can be very decorative in an indoor setting.

PIPE BANNER

A flag with a practical purpose is the pipe banner, which can carry either the arms or the full achievement with crest and motto. This type of banner is often handsomely embroidered and fringed in the livery colours - sometimes backed with the family tartan, sometimes embroidered on both sides - and is borne by the baronís pipers or by the pipe major of a pipe band to which he has given his sponsorship. By tradition, a baron parades two pipers on his ceremonial occasions. The pipe banner is an awkward shape, the top running upwards parallel with the largest drone, and artistically it may be difficult to display the arms over the entire available surface without impossible distortions, but when well displayed a good pipe banner is one of the truly effective uses of modern heraldry.